That sounds like either mold or mildew may have been in the washer from water standing in the machine for some time or a foam backed rug or fabric has been washed in it. If it's persistent, I'd suspect mold. For mold, fill the machine, add a couple of cups of bleach and run through a cycle as if there were clothes in the machine.
If neither of the above seem to work. Look for a rubber/plastic washer or grommet that has dry-rotted and is coming apart.